Poison Control Centre

• Toxicological analysis of blood, urine, or stomach contents (vomitus, aspirate, or washing). Details of sample collection and submission plus the list of poisons/drugs which can be tested is available on request. Some of the common toxins tested include    
   

  • Pesticides
  • Chemicals
  • Alcohols
  • Heavy Metals
  • Pharmaceuticals & Drugs
  • Plant Toxins
  • Drugs of Abuse
  • Food Poisons and Adulterants

   

The complete menu of toxicology tests can be accessed here:

• Samples accepted –          
   
  • Body fluids: blood, urine, stomach contents (aspirate, washing, vomitus).
  • All cases are accepted, including medicolegal cases; however, viscera samples from purely forensic cases are generally not accepted.
  • Commercial products (e.g., medicinal or food samples): for detecting presence of poisons or drugs
•  Instant access to detailed information on poisons and poisoning through telephone, e-mail, postal mail, personal contact, etc. The department utilizes the following database on toxicology: TOXBASE (UK) which has information on hundreds of poisonous substances encountered world-wide. The Centre attempts to answer any query on poisons or poisoning in a matter of seconds via e-mail or phone or fax.
• Expert guidance on diagnosis and treatment of poisoning: Both healthcare providers and the public can contact Dr. V.V. Pillay, Chief of the Poison Control Centre, for any queries (free of charge) regarding: poisons, poisoning (acute and chronic), drug overdose, drug adverse effects, drug abuse, food poisoning, bites & stings.

• Future initiatives:         
   
  • The Centre is developing an indigenous toxicology database to cater to physicians and hospitals in India covering common chemicals, poisons, drugs and toxins encountered in this country, that can be accessed for better management of poisoning/overdose cases.
  • The existing analytical toxicology laboratory will be expanded further to enable the analysis of a wider range of toxicants in living victims of poisoning, as well as serve as a referral centre for forensic cases.
  • Efforts are also on to develop the Poison Control Centre as a training centre for doctors in the better management of poisoning cases, and for hospital laboratory personnel in the employment of analytical techniques in relation to toxicological cases.